Guest Post: City Representative Niland

Before you read my note in this week's newsletter, I respectfully ask that you read this very informative report on the direct link between El Paso's economy and education. It talks about how high school dropouts directly effect our local economy.   Education and El Paso's Economy     Dear Friends and Neighbors,           First of all, I want to clarify my efforts & comments at this past week's council meeting about the broken EPISD school district. I am a product of public education and come from a long line of educators: my grandfather was a school principal, my grandmother a school nurse, my mother a teacher and my sister an educational psychologist. My comments during City Council this last week were directed at the Superintendent Dr. Garcia and EPISD School Board trustees for their lack of accountability & responsibility . I do not want to discredit the hard work of the teachers, parents, coaches, & students who are committed to excellence in our schools.            My efforts were to discuss any & all options to correct this enormous problem. I believe educating our youth is the key to our success in the future. The oversight of the largest taxing authority in the county and furthermore the privilege to oversee the education of our youth should be entrusted to individuals that are capable and willing to accept full responsibility. To err is human, mistakes of this magnitude requires immediate reform. We must seek a fair form of elections favoring majority not plurality. We must demand new leadership and call for the resignations of those responsible for cheating our youth & El Paso's future. The EPISD School Board is entrusted with the well-being of the students, parents, and faculty of the entire school district. It is obvious given the multitude of evidence they failed our children, parents, and taxpayers. We can and will persevere but only under new leadership.            The evidence of wrongdoing was well documented, and readily available to the EPISD School Board Trustees who chose not to exercise their authority to evaluate the whistle blowing accusations. It is a sad disservice to teachers, students, the schools, the community, and the City of El Paso.  My job is to unite the community and talk about solutions to problems that effect El Pasoans. I certainly don't have the answers but I'm willing to stick my neck out and get people talking to protect the kids I represent at Bowie High School and all kids in our City.  All elected officials, citizens and taxpayers want a school district that produces outstanding college-ready students and is an efficient, effective and honest steward of the public's money and trust.               Reform must happen now and all solutions must be put on the table and properly vetted, our children and their future depend on it. Please see below excerpts from the Education Code that clearly spell out the responsibilities of the EPISD School Board of Trustees.  Best, Cortney   SUBCHAPTER C. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT--GENERAL PROVISIONS                   Sec. 11.051.  GOVERNANCE OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT;  NUMBER OF TRUSTEES.  (a)  An independent school district is governed by a board of trustees who, as a body corporate, shall: (1)  oversee the management of the district; and (2)  ensure that the superintendent implements and monitors plans, procedures, programs, and systems to achieve appropriate, clearly defined, and desired results in the major areas of district operations.    Sec. 11.170.  INTERNAL AUDITOR. If a school district employs an internal auditor: (1)  the board of trustees shall select the internal auditor; and (2)  the internal auditor shall report directly to the board. Added by Acts 2006, 79th Leg., 3rd C.S., Ch. 5, Sec. 2.04, eff. May 31, 2006.